-
UNC says armistice 'binding framework' for DMZ access after minister remarks on entry denial
The UN Command stressed Thursday the armistice agreement remains a "binding framework" governing access to the Demilitarized Zone, following Unification Minister Chung Dong-young's revelation that a presidential official was recently denied entry to the area separating the two Koreas. Speaking in a legislative public hearing on Wednesday, Chung, South Korea's point man on inter-Korean affairs, said a senior presidential security official was recently rejected access to a war remains excavation s
Dec. 4, 2025 -
JCS chief stresses military readiness during commanders' meeting
South Korea's top military officer held a meeting with key field commanders Wednesday and called for "overwhelming" capabilities to respond to any threats amid advancing nuclear and missile threats from North Korea, officials said. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Jin Yong-sung presided over the meeting, which involved some 170 key officials and commanders, to assess the security environment and discuss ways to build a firm military readiness for potential conflict. Jin noted that North Korea
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Defense chief to convene key commanders to discuss rebuilding military 1 year after martial law
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back was set to preside over a meeting of key commanders Wednesday to discuss rebuilding the military into one trusted by the people, a year after a failed martial law bid that involved the former defense minister and a slew of military top brass. The meeting comes a day after Ahn issued an apology over the military's involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law bid on Dec. 3 last year, when troops were deployed to the National Assembly to bloc
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Defense chief apologizes for military's involvement in Yoon's martial law bid 1 year ago
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Tuesday apologized over the military's involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid last December. Ahn issued the apology in a Facebook post just a day before the first anniversary, as the now-ousted Yoon imposed the short-lived martial law on Dec. 3. At that time, the defense ministry was under the helm of his predecessor, Kim Yong-hyun. "I formally apologize on behalf of the military for endangering the people, leaving a deep wound on
Dec. 2, 2025 -
S. Korea, Norway defense chiefs discuss arms industry cooperation
The defense chiefs of South Korea and Norway held talks in Oslo on Friday and discussed strengthening security and arms industry cooperation, Seoul's defense ministry said. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and his Norwegian counterpart, Tore O. Sandvik, agreed to deepen cooperation in future warfare technologies, such as artificial intelligence and unmanned systems, and identify areas of cooperation through regular talks. Ahn also asked for Norway's consideration of South Korea's Chunmoo rocket art
Nov. 28, 2025 -
Army official demoted after reevaluation over martial law involvement
A senior Army official has been demoted over his involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid last year, sources said Friday, facing a stronger disciplinary measure following a reevaluation. The decision came after Prime Minister Kim Min-seok ordered the withdrawal of an earlier 10-day disciplinary measure against Brig. Gen. Kim Sang-hwan, the chief of the Army's legal affairs office, calling for a tougher punishment. The defense ministry said it reconvened a disciplina
Nov. 28, 2025 -
Robot serves K-food at Camp Walker, first on USFK base
The US Army's 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command opened its first autonomous dining facility in South Korea on Nov. 12. A pilot showcase was held Friday at "Market 19," the Camp Walker dining facility in Daegu. During the event, the facility held a demonstration in celebration of Thanksgiving, serving three special dishes including turkey. Each menu item was priced at around $7.50. Base officials said that on regular days, Market 19 offers eight to nine options, including Korean dishes such
Nov. 28, 2025 -
Alliance modernzation aims at wider Indo-Pacific deterrence, says US envoy
The modernization of the South Korea–US alliance is aimed at strengthening deterrence not only on the Korean Peninsula but across the broader Indo-Pacific region, Acting US Ambassador to South Korea Kevin Kim said Friday. Kim said the alliance’s role on the security front has evolved beyond the Peninsula, noting that regional challenges require the two countries to evaluate threats jointly and respond with a wider deterrence posture. "First and foremost, addressing the common challenges on the K
Nov. 28, 2025 -
Top military officers of S. Korea, Canada discuss expanding defense cooperation by phone
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Jin Yong-sung held his first phone call with his Canadian counterpart Friday and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation. In the phone conversation with Gen. Jennie Carignan, Jin thanked Canada for its efforts to contribute to maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific, including Canadian troops' participation in the 1950-53 Korean War. Jin described Canada as South Korea's "old-time friend," calling the bilateral ties
Nov. 28, 2025 -
Defense chiefs of S. Korea, Sweden discuss defense, arms cooperation
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Thursday held talks with his Swedish counterpart to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the defense sector and the arms industry, the defense ministry said. During his meeting with Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson held in Stockholm, Ahn said it was "deeply meaningful" for him to visit Sweden as the first South Korean defense chief and to hold the first South Korea-Sweden defense ministerial meeting in 14 years, according to the ministry. Ahn ex
Nov. 27, 2025 -
JCS chief, USFK commander visit UN Command security battalion
Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Chairman Gen. Jin Yong-sung and US Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson visited the security battalion of the US-led UN Command (UNC) on Thursday, the JCS said. During the visit scheduled on the occasion of the US Thanksgiving holiday, Jin and Brunson encouraged service members and served food to South Korean and US troops thanking them for their service on the front line of defending South Korea's security, according to the JCS. The UNC security battalion is th
Nov. 27, 2025 -
North Korea may already possess 150 nuclear warheads, could reach 400 by 2040: think tank
North Korea’s nuclear arsenal may be far larger — and expanding far faster — than widely believed, potentially reshaping the strategic landscape on the Korean Peninsula within the next two decades, according to new assessments by South Korean defense researchers. At a forum hosted by the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses on Wednesday, Lee Sang-kyu, head of KIDA’s nuclear security research division, assessed that Pyongyang likely possesses between 127 and 150 nuclear weapons. The estimate — ba
Nov. 27, 2025 -
1 South Korean volunteer soldier in Ukraine confirmed dead
One South Korean national who volunteered to fight alongside Ukraine against Russia's aggression has been killed in combat, a foreign ministry official confirmed Thursday. The funeral for the man, identified only by his surname Kim and as being in his 50s, was held in Kyiv on Tuesday, the ministry official said. A consular official from the South Korean mission in Ukraine attended the service. The deceased is believed to have been killed during combat in Donetsk Oblast in eastern Ukraine in May.
Nov. 27, 2025 -
South Korea to transfer submarine to Poland for free
South Korea plans to provide its first-generation Jang Bogo-class submarine to Poland at no cost, as Seoul seeks to support a domestic bid for Warsaw’s next-generation submarine program, the Ministry of National Defense said Wednesday. The submarine completed its final operational deployment on Nov. 19 and is scheduled to be officially retired at the end of the year. After decommissioning, it will be transferred to Poland “for effective use in defense exports and cooperation,” the ministry said.
Nov. 26, 2025 -
S. Korea to transfer retiring submarine to Poland amid acquisition project bid
South Korea is set to transfer a retiring 1,200-ton submarine to Poland free of charge, military sources said Wednesday, in apparent support for a South Korean defense firm bidding for the European country's submarine procurement project. Under the plan, the defense ministry is expected to hand over the ROKS Jang Bogo, the country's first naval submarine, set to retire at the end of the year after 34 years in service, according to the sources. The move comes as Poland is seeking to acquire up to
Nov. 26, 2025